Summary

• Five submittals were received for the Request For Qualifications (RFQ) for the outdoor pool design and engineering.
• A review committee selected the top three submittals for interviews scheduled for March 21st.
• There is a goal to present a contract to the City Council in May.

Full Text

The March 9, 2023 meeting of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board was convened at 7:00 pm in the Oak Ridge Recreation Center Social Room with Chairman Jake Greear presiding.

Roll Call
Present:
Doug Bataille, Jake Greear, Kelly Mccampbell, Chris Melhorn, Dan Robbins, Michele Thornton

Absent:
Alissa Jones, Terri Daugherty

Also Present:
Jon Hetrick, Recreation & Parks Director, staff liaison

Approval of the February 9, 2023 Meeting Minutes
Dan Robbins requested that the items under the Swimming Pool Work Plan item be clarified to show which items referred to the indoor pool and which items referred to the outdoor pool. The February 9, 2023 meeting minutes were approved as amended.

Unfinished Business

• Discussion of recommending that the North Ridge Trail be renamed to recognize the contributions of Liane Russell to the creation of the trail, as first suggested by Dan Robbins at the February 9, 2023 Park Board meeting.
  • Dan Robbins made a motion to recommend that the trail be renamed the Liane & Bill Russell North Ridge Trail. Michele Thornton seconded the motion. The motion passed with a majority vote.

New Business

• Jake Greear recognized the contributions of Mark Cantrell to the Recreation & Parks Advisory Board.
• Jake then asked Jon Hetrick what the process would be to fill the vacant Board seat. Jon will check with the City Clerk’s office.

Board Work Plan

• Oak Ridge Swimming Pool:
  • Five submittals were received for the Request For Qualifications (RFQ) for outdoor pool design & engineering. The review committee selected the top three submittals for interviews on March 21st. Hope to be able to bring a contract to City Council in May.
• Capital Improvement Program:
  • The Planning Commission submitted rankings/recommendations to City Council at the March meeting.
• Greenway System:
  • North Boundary Greenway – Michele reported that the fence on DOE property between the greenway and residences on Whippoorwill Dr is expected to be removed soon.
  • Dan Robbins provided background on the designation of the North Boundary as a greenway.
  • Greenway Master Planning – staff will pursue this project once FY2023 Capital Projects have been addressed. Staff will work with the Park Board to develop planning for connectivity of the greenway system.
• Parks & Recreation Stewardship, Maintenance and Trail Development:
  • Doug Bataille reported that the Clinch Valley Trail Alliance (CVTA) and the Appalachian Mountain Bike Club (AMBC) co-hosted a Haw Ridge workday on March 4th. Close to 70 volunteers turned out, making great progress on eight different projects in the park. Doug also shared an email from an enthusiastic first-time volunteer.
  • North Ridge trail – the Parks Division is developing a plan for installation of the trail signs provided by Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning (TCWP).
  • Jake Greear mentioned the ongoing project to install a plaque in the Civic Center recognizing Park Board award winners.

Secondary Objectives:

• Community Events:
  • The Egg Hunt will be held April 1st.
• Rails to Trails:
  • Jon Hetrick reported that there are ongoing challenges getting revised plans submitted to TDOT by the project consultant.
• Conference Center Update:
  • Waiting to find out if funding will become available for the project.
• Melton Lake Park Greenway Bridge Support:
  • UT engineering students continue to make steady progress.
• Peace Bell:
  • No report.
• Disc Golf:
  • Wet weather has slowed the course renovation work by the Innovation Valley Disc Golf Club (IVDGC) at the Mounds; work is expected to pick up soon.
• Blueways:
  • A stakeholder meeting is scheduled March 14th at 1 PM in the Civic Center Social Room to begin planning for the project.

Appearance and Citizen Comments

• Joel Hewett-Chair of the Environmental Quality Advisory Board (EQAB):
  • Provided an update on the EQAB invasive species plan.
  • Suggested that EQAB and the Park Board interface as there is crossover in their roles.
  • EQAB, as the city Tree Board, is working on a new tree plan – trying to keep it narrow & targeted.
  • EQAB meets the first Thursday of every month in the Municipal Building Training Room – all are invited.
• Doug Colclasure:
  • Reported on the Arbor Day Ceremony at Willowbrook Elementary School.
  • Noted a News Sentinel article that stated a $1 investment in greenways returns $2 in economic development.
  • John Spratling is scheduled to present on the proposed Scarboro 85 Monument at the upcoming East Tennessee Economic Council (ETEC) meeting.
  • Mentioned again the desire for parking improvements at the North Boundary Greenway informal parking area west of Wisconsin Ave.

Updates and Observations (Non-Action Items)

• Dan Robbins reported that the League of Women Voters would host a Breakfast With Legislators at the Civic Center on March 27th at 7:30 AM.
• Dan also reported that he will give the Greenways Oak Ridge 25th Anniversary presentation to a group April 11th.
• Greenways Oak Ridge, the League of Women Voters and the Breakfast Rotary Club are sponsoring a lakeshore trash pickup Sunday, April 2. Meet at the Melton Lake Park Pavilion. TVA is providing grabbers, bags and gloves.

Director’s Report:

• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding has become available for replacement of the playground at Highland View Park.

Future Agenda Items:

• None

The meeting was adjourned at 8:32 PM. The next meeting will be Thursday, April 11th.